The Cobler's CORRANT:
OR, THE
Old Shooemaker Metamorphos'd
Into a Spick and Span new Translator, or a Trans-
mogreficater of the Mistical Art. Concluding with the four Coats
of Arms, viz. Couchant, Guardant, Rampant and Passant.
To the Tune of, Craft; or, Grafts-men more or less.
Written by Richard Rigby, a faithful Brother to the Gentle-craft. Licens'd according to Order.
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A Proverb oftimes hath been told,
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which now I find for to be true,
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A Shooemaker when he grows old
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will make a Cobler fresh and new:
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Then loving Neighbours stand my Friend,
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And send me your, Old Shooes to mend.
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For a Shooemaker long time I've been,
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this forty years and almost five,
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With auls and knives both sharp and keen,
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yet n'er could find the way to thrive,
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Till now I'm come, my loving Friend,
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Near Hicks's Hall, Old Shooes to mend.
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In St. John's Street, by St. John's Lane,
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there am I fired in a stall,
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For to begin the good old game,
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that doth rejoyce my heart withal;
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Thus many a penny I may spend,
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If I get but, Old Shooes to mend.
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In the dreadful fire of sixty six,
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near to Fleet-bridge I was burnt out;
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Both hammer, pincers and tickling-sticks,
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likewise I have a rubing-clout,
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Which I have kept for this same end,
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With St. Hugh's Bones, Old Shooes to mend.
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Then let no Cobler angry be,
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nor fall out with his Brothe-trade;
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Since St. John's Street is free for me,
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where now a Cobler I am array'd,
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For to get my living I do pretend,
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Whilst neatly I Old Shooes do mend.
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With contentment I now am crown'd,
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a merry Cobler in my stall;
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As he that has ten thousand pound,
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of Gold and Silver at his call;
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And thus my Life I mean to spend,
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If I get but Old Shooes to mend.
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Long time I liv'd in Ireland,
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And wrought for many a Noble Peer;
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Yet now at length, at your Command,
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I ready am to serve you here;
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For nothing more I do contend,
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Then for to have Old Shooes to mend.
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A Cobler Rampant I have been,
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But never Couchant till this time;
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And since I do the same begin,
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I hope it won't be thought a Crime;
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Then you that seen me, stand my Friend,
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And send me your Old Shooes to mend.
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I was a Cobler Guardant too,
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And Passant in my days of Youth,
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Thus the four Coats, I have run through,
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If I may speak the naked Truth,
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To Rich and Poor I'll prove a Friend,
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Who brings me their, Old Shooes to mend.
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I have been tumbled to and fro,
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And could not find a pleasant Stall;
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Till Fortune did a favour show,
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And plast me close to Hick's Hall,
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Wherein my Office I'll attend,
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For to receive Old Shooes to mend.
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Thus do I give a large Account,
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Of our renowned ancient Trade,
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Where Wealth and Riches does surmount,
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Likewise our Banners are display'd;
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Thus my true Joys will still transcend,
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Can I but get Old Shooes to mend.
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Now to conclude my pleasant Song,
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Let Crafts-men with me all agree,
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Since to that Trade I do belong,
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I hope none will offended be;
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For I will prove a jovial Friend,
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Can I but get Old Shooes to mend.
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